By Teofilo Garcia, Jr. | Philippine News Agency
Three members of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) were killed in an ambush in Basilan province, authorities said Tuesday (Dec. 24).
The Basilan Police Provincial Office (BPPO) reported that the attack occurred around 6:25 pm, Monday (Dec. 23), in Barangay Baimbing, Lamitan City.
The identities of the slain ISAFP personnel, who were based in Zamboanga City, have yet to be confirmed.
Initial investigation revealed the victims were traveling in a sport utility vehicle along the highway when unidentified gunmen opened fire, according to the BPPO.
The ambush site is approximately 15 kilometers from Lamitan City proper, in an area without cellular phone service, making immediate communication difficult.
Authorities are conducting an in-depth investigation to identify the perpetrators and determine the motive behind the attack.
The province of Basilan was recently declared free of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) by the provincial government, military, and police.